TruthTheOnlyDefense
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Don’t worry, Australia made it on there.
Image credit: Instagram.com/mybeautifulpari
Everyone loves a “best of” list. Whether it’s restaurants, beaches, or places to live, there’s something compelling about counting down to number one. Recently, US News & World Report released their 2019 Best Countries Report, which ranked nations based on their quality of life, entrepreneurship, uniqueness, cultural influence, business opportunities, human rights, heritage, global power and a final metric that can only be described as “vibe” (as used in the iconic Australian film, The Castle). Ladies and gentlemen, here is your countdown.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitlafrance
10. France
With its rich history and coveted culture, France hosts a staggering 82.6 million visitors annually, making it the world’s most popular tourist destination. France scored high on this list for cultural influence (hello Paris Fashion Week), heritage (spot the picturesque medieval town) and human rights.
Image credit: Instagram.com/carolandthemountains
9. Norway
Scoring a perfect 10 in the human rights category, Norway is a politically stable country that prioritises issues like gender equality, religious freedom and the environment. Quality of life is high, and citizens receive free healthcare, education and family-friendly work arrangements. The only scratch on the trophy? Affordability. Life in Norway is expensive.
Image credit: Instagram.com/joethommas
8. United States
The cultural influence and entrepreneurship of the US is evident in the films, TV shows and businesses all around us. From The Avengers franchise to Google and Facebook, America is a huge global influencer. With its strong economy, military and alliances, the US scored 10 out of 10 in the “power” metric – however, its quality of life score was relatively low (5.3), due to income inequality and gun violence.
Image credit: Instagram.com/australia
7. Australia
While we still have work to do, Australians’ high quality of life (9) and strong human rights (8.9) reflect what citizens have said for decades: we are the lucky country. A safe, progressive, politically stable nation with free healthcare and education; we have a lot to be thankful for.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitsweden_us
6. Sweden
As if almost-perfect scores for quality of life (9.8) and human rights (9.7) weren’t enough, Sweden also recycles almost all of its garbage and its citizens donate disproportionately to humanitarian aid programs. They have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
Image credit: Instagram.com/lovegreatbritain
5. United Kingdom
The unrest around Brexit doesn’t seem to have damaged the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit and influence on the global stage. The UK remains extremely connected to the rest of the world, with an educated population, strong legal framework and well-developed infrastructure (though they do love to whinge about their trains). In terms of global power, the UK’s alliances (9.8) and economic influence (9) have them in a very strong position.
Image credit: Instagram.com/handluggageonly
4. Germany
With its highly skilled, affluent workforce Germany scores a perfect 10 for entrepreneurship. A high-tech hub, Germany is one of the world’s economic powerhouses. Its well-developed infrastructure sets it apart – if you’ve ever caught a train in Berlin or Frankfurt, you understand why (no timetable changes or services cancellations in those towns). Embracing open-market capitalism while guaranteeing social services has made Germany a rich country with a high quality of life (8.3).
Image credit: Instagram.com/handluggageonly
3. Canada
Canadians have a reputation for being polite and outdoorsy, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. A high-tech society rich in natural resources (like oil and minerals), Canada has far more social services that its American neighbour and is the only country in this survey to score 10 out of 10 for quality of life. Boasting one of the best public education systems in the world, Canadians also benefit from free healthcare. “Oh Canada,” indeed.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitjapanjp
2. Japan
Like Germany, Japan gets 10 out of 10 for entrepreneurship. Its educated, skilled labour force leads the world in technological innovations – particularly when it comes to electronic equipment and cars. It also stands out for its uniqueness; Japan has distinctive food, history and cultural attractions (for example, tea ceremonies and sumo wrestling) that aren’t found anywhere else.
Image credit: Instagram.com/travelita
1. Switzerland
While Switzerland didn’t score a perfect 10 in any one area, the land of chocolate, fondue and expensive watches received high scores across the board. Human rights (9.7), quality of life (9.2) business opportunities (9.1) and entrepreneurship (8.9) combined to put this picturesque mountain country into the top spot. One of the wealthiest nations on earth, Switzerland’s economy is fuelled by high-tech manufacturing and its secretive financial services sector. Swiss citizens have won more Nobel Prizes and registered more patents per capita than most other countries, which may be related to their top-notch public education system.
https://www.vogue.com.au/travel/des...llery/60dcb3051eea0d39060aef6ec096fa87?pos=11
Image credit: Instagram.com/mybeautifulpari
Everyone loves a “best of” list. Whether it’s restaurants, beaches, or places to live, there’s something compelling about counting down to number one. Recently, US News & World Report released their 2019 Best Countries Report, which ranked nations based on their quality of life, entrepreneurship, uniqueness, cultural influence, business opportunities, human rights, heritage, global power and a final metric that can only be described as “vibe” (as used in the iconic Australian film, The Castle). Ladies and gentlemen, here is your countdown.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitlafrance
10. France
With its rich history and coveted culture, France hosts a staggering 82.6 million visitors annually, making it the world’s most popular tourist destination. France scored high on this list for cultural influence (hello Paris Fashion Week), heritage (spot the picturesque medieval town) and human rights.
Image credit: Instagram.com/carolandthemountains
9. Norway
Scoring a perfect 10 in the human rights category, Norway is a politically stable country that prioritises issues like gender equality, religious freedom and the environment. Quality of life is high, and citizens receive free healthcare, education and family-friendly work arrangements. The only scratch on the trophy? Affordability. Life in Norway is expensive.
Image credit: Instagram.com/joethommas
8. United States
The cultural influence and entrepreneurship of the US is evident in the films, TV shows and businesses all around us. From The Avengers franchise to Google and Facebook, America is a huge global influencer. With its strong economy, military and alliances, the US scored 10 out of 10 in the “power” metric – however, its quality of life score was relatively low (5.3), due to income inequality and gun violence.
Image credit: Instagram.com/australia
7. Australia
While we still have work to do, Australians’ high quality of life (9) and strong human rights (8.9) reflect what citizens have said for decades: we are the lucky country. A safe, progressive, politically stable nation with free healthcare and education; we have a lot to be thankful for.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitsweden_us
6. Sweden
As if almost-perfect scores for quality of life (9.8) and human rights (9.7) weren’t enough, Sweden also recycles almost all of its garbage and its citizens donate disproportionately to humanitarian aid programs. They have one of the longest life expectancies in the world.
Image credit: Instagram.com/lovegreatbritain
5. United Kingdom
The unrest around Brexit doesn’t seem to have damaged the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit and influence on the global stage. The UK remains extremely connected to the rest of the world, with an educated population, strong legal framework and well-developed infrastructure (though they do love to whinge about their trains). In terms of global power, the UK’s alliances (9.8) and economic influence (9) have them in a very strong position.
Image credit: Instagram.com/handluggageonly
4. Germany
With its highly skilled, affluent workforce Germany scores a perfect 10 for entrepreneurship. A high-tech hub, Germany is one of the world’s economic powerhouses. Its well-developed infrastructure sets it apart – if you’ve ever caught a train in Berlin or Frankfurt, you understand why (no timetable changes or services cancellations in those towns). Embracing open-market capitalism while guaranteeing social services has made Germany a rich country with a high quality of life (8.3).
Image credit: Instagram.com/handluggageonly
3. Canada
Canadians have a reputation for being polite and outdoorsy, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. A high-tech society rich in natural resources (like oil and minerals), Canada has far more social services that its American neighbour and is the only country in this survey to score 10 out of 10 for quality of life. Boasting one of the best public education systems in the world, Canadians also benefit from free healthcare. “Oh Canada,” indeed.
Image credit: Instagram.com/visitjapanjp
2. Japan
Like Germany, Japan gets 10 out of 10 for entrepreneurship. Its educated, skilled labour force leads the world in technological innovations – particularly when it comes to electronic equipment and cars. It also stands out for its uniqueness; Japan has distinctive food, history and cultural attractions (for example, tea ceremonies and sumo wrestling) that aren’t found anywhere else.
Image credit: Instagram.com/travelita
1. Switzerland
While Switzerland didn’t score a perfect 10 in any one area, the land of chocolate, fondue and expensive watches received high scores across the board. Human rights (9.7), quality of life (9.2) business opportunities (9.1) and entrepreneurship (8.9) combined to put this picturesque mountain country into the top spot. One of the wealthiest nations on earth, Switzerland’s economy is fuelled by high-tech manufacturing and its secretive financial services sector. Swiss citizens have won more Nobel Prizes and registered more patents per capita than most other countries, which may be related to their top-notch public education system.
https://www.vogue.com.au/travel/des...llery/60dcb3051eea0d39060aef6ec096fa87?pos=11
